Any way you measure it, the investment adviser profession is strong, growing and on a path for continued expansion in the years ahead.

Data reported earlier this year by federally registered advisers to the SEC show impressive growth for advisers across all major metrics, including number of firms, number of clients and assets under management, underscoring that our industry is a vital asset to investors, to our economy and to the capital markets.

The detailed portrait our research paints of the investment advisory industry demonstrates the diversity and breadth of this community.

We collected and analyzed data filed on Form ADV, Part 1 — the regulatory form that all investment advisers must file at least annually — as of April 8, 2015, for 2015 Evolution Revolution, the 15th edition of an annual joint study by the Investment Adviser Association and National Regulatory Services. It is the most comprehensive profile of the advisory industry available